West Palm Homeless Man Is Shot, Killed

January 23, 2006|By Tal Abbady Staff Writer

West Palm Beach — The last time Charles Daniels spoke with Moses Prophet, it was to borrow money for a 50-cent juice to quench his thirst Saturday afternoon. The last time he saw him, hours later, Prophet's bullet-riddled body was curled on the concrete of 55th street, a narrow road lined with wood-frame and concrete homes where relatives say Prophet lived as a homeless man.

Police say Prophet, 58, was shot multiple times on the 600 block of 55th street Saturday at around 9:30 p.m. The shooting appears to have followed a dispute over a dog, but Lt. Chuck Reed, said investigators have not confirmed a link. Relatives say Prophet denied an acquaintance's allegation that he stole the man's dog.

Police on Sunday were canvassing the neighborhood where Prophet was known for years as Mr. Mo, a chatty man who worked odd jobs renovating homes on the street and who lived in and out of the weedy backyards and garages of several vacant houses.

When Daniels, 17, heard the shots, he ran out of the home he shares with his girlfriend and their baby.

"I saw him on the ground. I yelled `Mr. Mo! Mr. Mo! But he didn't move," Daniels said. He saw no one else, then called 911. Prophet died in surgery two hours later at St. Mary's Medical Center.

Prophet's siblings and grown children said Prophet worked for 30 years for the city of West Palm Beach doing carpentry and retired 10 years ago. Until five months ago, he was still receiving a pension and had money in the bank.

Prophet raised two biological children and five stepchildren.

Shortly after his retirement he spent years taking care of his sick uncle, Oklahoma Sheely, said Prophet's younger sister, Ethel Daly.

Not long after Sheely died in 1999, Prophet bucked the straight life and roamed the streets. But neighbors said he had the resources to help pull relatives out of tight spots.

He recently loaned another sister, Almeta Gunn $3,500.

Anyone with information should call Detective Adam Myers at 561-822-1673, Detective Richard Halsey at 561-822-1665 or Crime Stoppers and 800-458-8477.

Tal Abbady can be reached at tabbady@sun-sentinel.com or 561-243-6624.